“Though it sometimes looks like a rich man will never help the poor; whereas the poor people will give away everything they has to help somebody who ain’t got nothing. That’s how it looks to me. Don’t seem like it ought to be that way, but I reckon the rich ain’t got no time to fool with us poor folks.”
― Erskine Caldwell, Tobacco Road
Jack Kirkland's theatrical adaptation of Erskine Caldwell's Fable of the Deconstruction "Tobacco Road" wields the same power on stage when the production premiered at the Masque Theatre in New York City in 1933. The production went on to become one of the longest-running plays in history, running for a staggering 3,182 performances. As of December 2024, it was still the 21st longest-running Broadway show in history, as well as being the second-longest running non-musical ever on Broadway
In desolate farm country in Georgia, the profitable tobacco crop has given way to cotton plantations, but poor planting practices have depleted the soil. The Lester family were once sharecroppers, but are now poverty-stricken and unable to cope with the bleak life they face. Jeeter Lester, the patriarch, lives in squalor with his wife Ada, their two children, 16-year-old Dude and 18-year-old Ellie May, and his mother. Ada is suffering from pellagra and Ellie May has a harelip Jeeter and Dude are thin and emaciated, and the family wears tattered clothing. This bleak setting reflects the life and times of post-Depression Americans and the cost of conditions brought on by, both external and internal, associated with the 20th century industrial growth of this country. Leaving a broken and defeated Lester Jetter to cling onto a dream long past.
Ensemble includes Robert Insana as 'Lester Jeeter', Kaylie Horowitz as 'Ada Jeeter. Danette Pawlowski portrays the fiery and lusty Sister Bessie who has her eyes on the younger 'Dude Jeeter', played by Ryan Okun. The two Jeeter sisters 'Elle Mae' and 'Pearl' feature the ART/WNY debut of Emily C McDonnell and Sadie Everhart. Rounding out the cast is Mark Tramont as 'Captain Tom', Ian F. LaLonde 'Banker/Peabody' and Margo Davis as 'Grandma Jeeter'. Directed by Artie Awarded nominated Matthew LaChiusa.
An intense Americana story that joins a Post 20th-Century list of The Fables of The Deconstruction.
Showtimes and days:
Thursday and Friday @ 7:30 pm
Saturday @ 5:00 pm
Artie Award winners, writer Matthew LaChiusa, and Musical Director, Billy Horn's, book and music adaptation of
"Three Penny Opera". LaChiusa has translated the original book with lyrics from the Public Domain version of Brecht's "Three Penny Opera" and with composer, Billy Horn, have reconstructed the book and created a modern score to this timeless classic.
Thurs/Friday @ 7:30 pm / Saturday @ 5:30 pm
Any question you might have will be happily answered. And, FYI, ART/WNY won’t blow up your phone or computer with annoying spam